Courses Overview

Level 1 Course (2017 Update):

This course is the most important course offered by the school. The course is suitable for any licensed driver of a car, utility, or other light vehicle. It is particularly relevant for experienced drivers who drive regularly as part of their occupation.

The level 1 course underwent significant review and updating in 2017 in terms of presentation and content.

The level 1 course is a car control course comprising of 50/50 classroom to practical exercises.

The course is designed to help drivers develop a risk averse attitude to driving and develop avoidance skills in emergency situations in a controlled and safe environment.

Level 1

The Level 1 Course is suitable for any driver with a licence, driving any car, van, ute or 4wd.

Overall Objective

The overall objective of the NADS Level 1 Course is to help develop an Accident Avoidance Attitude (the principle of Defensive Driving), backed up with improved practical driving skills, increased awareness of risks and greater driving confidence on the road.

The course also aims to instruct participants in the best practice for adjusting their seating position, steering technique, and searching to enable maximum control and performance of the vehicle.

Course Schedule

The day begins at 8.30am with registration and finishes at approximately 4.00pm with a presentation of certificates.

The course consists of a 50/50 mix of practical and classroom sessions and is suitable for all drivers regardless of age or experience.

Individual Coaching

Each driver has several attempts at each practical exercise and is given instant feedback on every attempt. Participants also learn by observing and analysing other drivers' performances.

Reports

During every course instructors prepare Vehicle Reports covering the condition of the vehicle and a personal Skills Assessment Reports covering driver skills and attitude to driving.

These are sent to the booking coordinators or a nominated recipient. This enables Fleet Managers to get feedback on vehicle condition and Management to have feedback on course performance.

Level 2 Course (2018 Update):

The level 2 course is designed as a follow on course from the Level 1 course, expanding on the skills learned from the level 1 course.

This course has been reviewed and updated with new presentation content and practical exercises. The new course material began from July 2018.

This course can be used as a refresher for those whom have completed Level 1 within the last 3 years. Or as a skills development course for those having completed Level 1.

The course has more emphasis on the practical skills with an approximate 60/40 practical to classroom ratio.

Level 2

There is a prerequisite that drivers must have completed the level 1 course first.

Overall Objective

The overall objective of the Level 2 Course is to expand upon the awareness and skills learned in the Level 1 Course with a greater emphasis on practical skills, especially cornering and vehicle dynamics. The driving undertaken whilst on tracks is not "track driving" but road driving on a track.

Course Schedule

The day begins at 8:30am with registration and finishes at approximately 4:00pm with a presentation of certificates.

The course consists of a 60/40 mix of practical and classroom sessions and is available only at Race Track Venues for groups of six to eight drivers. All drivers are fully supervised at all times and are at no time permitted to exceed highway speeds.

Subjects Covered

All subjects covered at Level 1 are revised in brief and followed up with new material, including:

Group review of important areas of vehicle maintenance Tyres and ABS Braking, also explanation of new the newer technologies such as ESC and how they work.

Practical exercises covering Braking, Steering and Searching

Skid Avoidance, theory and practical

Cornering Skills including supervised laps of the circuit "as if it was a road" with individual coaching, aimed at improving road driving.

Group review of Defensive Driving Principles and the Road Code

Individual Coaching

As with the Level 1 Course, each driver has several attempts at each practical exercise and is given instant feedback on every attempt. Each Driver will complete several laps of the circuit with an Instructor giving them individual coaching. Each driver will then have ample time to practice before being further coached / assessed by their Instructor.

Reports

Following every course, individual reports covering both the condition of the vehicle and tyres, along with a Skills Assessment covering both driver skills and attitude to driving, are mailed direct to booking coordinators.

"Team" Defensive Driving:

The "Team" Defensive Driving course expands on the skills learned in the level 1 & Level 2 courses. The course is designed to engage smaller teams from the same company in a training and team building day. The course has a 80/20 practical to classroom ratio.

There is an element of self and peer assessment under the supervision of a Senior Instructor.

This course has also been specifically designed to be used as a Team Building exercise for smaller corporate groups of approximately six to eight drivers.

"Team" Defensive Driving Refresher

The "Team" Defensive Driver Refresher course is suitable for any Company with a group of drivers with a licence, driving any car, van, utility whom have already attended both the Level 1 and Level 2 courses (within the last 3 years).

Overall Objective

The overall objective of this course is to expand on the awareness and skills learned in the level 1 and level 2 courses with a greater emphasis on practical skills including track time and an element of self assessment and peer assessment under the supervision of a Senior Instructor.

Course Schedule

Course commencement is at 8.30 with registration and finishes approximately at 4.00pm with the presentation of certificates.

The course consists of an 80/20 mix of practical and classroom sessions and is available at Race Track Venues only. Group sizes will be limited to between six to eight drivers. All exercises are fully supervised at all times by a Senior Instructor and participants are no time permitted to exceed highway speeds.

Subjects Covered

All subjects covered at both Level 1 and Level 2 courses are revised in brief, albeit in slightly differing formats.

Cornering skills, including demonstration laps and supervised laps of the circuit, "as if it was a road" with individual coaching, are aimed at improved road driving.

Assessment report which is sent back to the co-ordinator of the bookings.

Individual Coaching

As with the Level 2 course, several attempts are made at each exercise, with immediate feedback given to each driver by the Instructor. Supervised laps of the circuit will be given with the Instructor as well as by the participant on their own. At the conclusion of the days practical exercises circuits will be done under stricter conditions, assessments being made by both the Instructor and the Driver’s Peers.

Reports

Following every course individual reports covering the condition of the vehicle along with a Skills Assessment covering both the Driver’s skills and attitude to driving, are mailed to booking coordinators

The National Advanced Drivers School was formed to promote and encourage safe driving habits and attitudes. The fundamental aim of the school is to teach drivers, defensive driving skills to avoid or react correctly when confronted with potentially dangerous situations.